Chapter 2379 Academic and Political

This new type of smallpox virus, which only poses a fatal threat to the aborigines, first attracted the attention of the academic community. Many papers put forward the same point of view, suspecting that the new type of smallpox virus is a "virus weapon" artificially cultivated, and condemning the Midgard military for trying to use it. This insane method wiped out the aborigines.

Such views are too sensational, and the scope of discussion soon went beyond the academic circle and became the focus of international public opinion.

In the spring of 1625, more than a dozen well-known experts and scholars in the field of public health from countries such as Canaan, Hailan, and Feizhen, received funding from a charitable organization to jointly form an international public health investigation team to travel across the ocean. Came to the western region of Midgard to investigate the smallpox epidemic that was breaking out in the local indigenous tribes.

The delegation arrived in the Vymur Valley in early March and visited more than 40 local villages. In mid-April, they were invited to visit Shizhu Town. A copy of a thesis, after investigation, it was found that the paper was written by Professor Moriarty and Dr. Vida, which provided valuable technical support for the epidemic prevention work of the aboriginal community.

Thanks to this as-yet-unpublished paper, half of the young people in the Volsung tribe have been vaccinated, and the effect is immediate, compared with other indigenous tribes that have not been vaccinated for various reasons, mainly religious factors. , the Volsung tribe had significantly fewer deaths from smallpox.

In late April 1625, the investigation report issued by the investigation team was published in the official newspapers of Canaan, Hailan and Feizhen, which recorded in detail the severe suffering caused by the smallpox epidemic to the aborigines in the New World, including the Walsunger family. The most convincing evidence is the virus blankets that the colonial military instructed merchants to sell to the aborigines.

As for the topic that the public is most interested in, "Is the new type of smallpox a kind of artificially cultivated virus weapon", out of academic caution and political factors that are inconvenient to express clearly, the delegation did not make a clear conclusion, but it has been read between the lines. It suggests that the epidemic in the New World is more likely to be a "man-made disaster" than a natural disaster.

The investigation report focused on the epidemic prevention measures in Shizhu Town, and praised the epoch-making epidemic prevention technology of vaccination.

Although the safety and reliability of the "human pox vaccine" is not perfect, without this vaccine, the situation in the epidemic area will undoubtedly become worse.

At the end of the investigation report, the author expressed regret that the Volsong tribe refused to explain from what channel it obtained the vaccination technology, and could not answer whether it had been authorized by the author of the paper. It is not ruled out that these aboriginal people used illegal means to steal Based on the work of the original author, Professor Trofim Moriarty.

All colleagues in the delegation appealed to Professor Moriarty to publish his research results publicly as soon as possible and contribute his ingenuity to safeguard the health of all mankind.

Not long afterward, the major newspapers and periodicals in the colony also reprinted the report issued by the International Public Health Mission in full, which immediately sparked fierce debate in the Midgard colony, and the attitudes of the left and the right were very different.

Those who support colonial expansion believe that the international public health mission has bad intentions and favors the aborigines in the name of epidemic prevention, slandering the colonial authorities for the smallpox outbreak, and trying to incite public opinion to obstruct the colonial westward movement.

Some people even openly questioned Professor Moriarty's position in newspapers and leaflets, criticizing him for leaking his thesis on preventing smallpox virus to aborigines, "this kind of behavior is close to treason."

There is currently no evidence that Professor Moriarty's research was funded by Shizhu Town, and the theory of "treason" is even more sinister. However, the above-mentioned sinister and inflammatory remarks are very popular in the colonies, and have already attracted some radicals. The resonance of the colonists released an ominous signal.

On the other hand, the left-leaning academic circles clearly support Professor Moriarty's research on epidemic prevention.

For example, the "Vares Offensive Law Society" is actively seeking the authorization of Professor Moriarty, and plans to publish this epidemic prevention paper in this year's summer or autumn issue of "Offensive Exploration", and will also invite Moriarty The professor attended the annual meeting scheduled to be held at Midgard University this summer.

If all goes well, Professor Moriarty will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting, and the theme of his speech will be "Smallpox Epidemic Prevention".

At the same time, the "Academy of Law" also sent an invitation letter to Joan, who was working as an assistant researcher at the "Rawls Laboratory" of Leiden College, inviting him to attend the annual meeting.

The invitation letter was sent to the Rawls laboratory a week ago. At that time, Joan was still on vacation in Cloudsdale. After receiving the letter for him, Master Rawls waited for a week but he was still missing, so he had to cast a spell to urge him to come back quickly.

In fact, Joanne had already received letters from Professor Moriarty, Dean Franklin, and Editor-in-Chief Tennyson about this matter. Master Rawls thought it was just a normal invitation to the annual meeting, but Joanne was deeply impressed. Knowing the inside story is not easy.

As the most eye-catching academic star in the New World in recent years, Qiao An has published two articles in "Aofa Exploration". His academic achievements are indeed worthy of an invitation to the annual conference, but the main reason why he can get the invitation is However, it has nothing to do with his own achievements, but has benefited from his deep participation in the development of smallpox virus vaccine as an assistant to Professor Moriarty.

At present, Professor Moriarty has not made a clear statement whether to accept the invitation of the organizer of the annual conference.

The Austrian Law Society was worried that the scheduled "speaker" would not give face, so at the suggestion of Mr. Tennyson, they invited Joan as an "alternate contestant".

Qiao An felt that the "political smell" of this annual meeting was too strong, and he was somewhat disgusted in his heart. Besides, he didn't think he was qualified to be the "spokesperson" of Professor Moriarty, since the tutor had not agreed to attend the annual meeting , how can I rashly express my opinion.

After returning to school, Joan first went to the laboratory and told Master Rawls in person that he did not want to participate in this annual meeting.

"Why didn't you go?" Master Rawls was surprised and puzzled, "The annual meeting of the Arcane Society is an annual event in our academic circles, especially for young scholars like you, it is a great honor to be invited, you How can you refuse to attend!"

Joan hesitated to speak.

This year's annual meeting is different from the past, with too many political disputes mixed in, and the "smallpox vaccine" is the focus of this dispute. Regarding this topic, all scholars participating in the meeting must clearly state their positions-do you support colonial expansion or do you support it? Indigenous liberation?

Joan himself is a descendant of the colonists and has many aboriginal friends. He is also an honorary resident of Shizhu Town. It is a dilemma for him to choose between the colonists and the aborigines.